COURSE SYLLABUS
SCOPE OF COURSE SYLLABUS
Intended for students enrolling in Advanced Research Methodology in Management, this syllabus contains information specific to the course. It is a definitive record of the course's primary characteristics and the learning outcomes that a typical student can reasonably be expected to achieve if he/she takes full advantage of the available learning opportunities. This document also serves as a reference for academic and support staff, internal and external examiners, and for future course monitoring and review.
COURSE AT A GLANCE
Course Title
Advanced Research Methodology in Management
Subject Area
Research Methodology
Course Code
RESM 61021
Course Level
Graduate
Credits
5.0
Prerequisites
RESM 50011
Methods of Delivery
Online
Expected Length
7.0 Weeks
Class Meetings
To be determined
Faculty
To be determined
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Computer Software: Any computer software that aids learning.
TEXT(S)
Text 1: MR
Title: Management Research — Applying the Principles of Business Research Methods
Author(s): Susan Rose, Nigel Spinks, and Ana Isabel Canhoto
Edition: 2nd
ISBN: 9781032462950
SYNOPSIS
This comprehensive course is the perfect resource for new researchers seeking guidance at every stage of their research journey. From project definition to dissemination of findings, it provides practical advice on managing the technical aspects of research. This is essential reading for postgraduate students working on dissertations, theses, research projects, and professionals in the field. The course is organized according to the key stages of a research project and showcases examples from various industries and organizations. It presents methods that reflect the richness and diversity of current business and management research.
Students will learn to design, select, develop, and implement appropriate research strategies for management contexts and disciplines. The course also offers practical and readily applicable guidance on conducting ethical and inclusive research in today's organizational and business environments, as well as an introduction to a diverse and expansive range of research methodologies and techniques. Each module features real-life research examples to illustrate concepts, encourage discussion, and "next steps" activities to help readers apply the content to their research projects. Emphasis is placed on important topics such as diversity and inclusion throughout the research process, data collection and privacy, digitalization, and writing up research.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
Appreciate business and management research.
Formulate research questions to address business and management problems.
Critically evaluate research and information from a variety of sources.
Conduct a literature search to help solve identified problems.
Plan, organize, design, construct, and research to help solve identified problems.
Understand the basics of validity and reliability and design research that reflects this understanding.
Select appropriate qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
Choose appropriate sampling and data collection methods to design a valid study.
Explain measurement characteristics and use validated measurement scales/ instruments to conduct research.
Communicate research findings through written and oral communication.
WEEK 1
Module 1
Researching in Business and Management
Reference(s): MR Ch1
Module 2
Formulating Research Problem and Reviewing the Literature
Reference(s): MR Ch2-3
WEEK 2
Module 3
Designing Research
Reference(s): MR Ch4
Module 4
Conducting Research Ethically and Inclusively
Reference(s): MR Ch5
WEEK 3
Module 5
Quantitative Research Designs
Reference(s): MR Ch6
Module 6
Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research Designs
Reference(s): MR Ch7
WEEK 4
Module 7
Planning and Managing Research Project
Reference(s): MR Ch8
Module 8
Sampling
Reference(s): MR Ch9
WEEK 5
Module 9
Collecting data using questionnaires
Reference(s): MR Ch10
Module 10
Collecting data using in-depth interviews
Reference(s): MR Ch11
WEEK 6
Module 11
Collecting data using diaries and naturally occurring data
Reference(s): MR Ch12
Module 12
Analysing quantitative data
Reference(s): MR Ch13
WEEK 7
Module 13
Analysing qualitative data
Reference(s): MR Ch14
Module 14
Reporting your research
Reference(s): MR Ch15
Updating
PARTICIPATION POLICY
All students are required to participate in all classroom activities, attend classes regularly, and prepare before classes for classroom activities that require advance preparation. Students need to fully appreciate that good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation, which, in turn, results in a more thorough acquisition of subject knowledge and higher participation grades.
Participation in classroom discussions and other types of activities indicates that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in the classroom but on the overall quality of contributions to discussions.
If a student is unable to attend 3 or more classes, he/she may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete the course.
Modes of Attendance
For the portions of the course that take place over Microsoft Teams: Students are required to arrive on time and engage appropriately with their fellow students, their teacher(s) and course materials. They must attend with a functional web camera and microphone, have the latest version of Microsoft Teams installed on their computers, avoid attending via a mobile phone or web browser, and have all necessary materials to hand. Also, their cameras must be always switched on, except for occasions when privacy becomes a necessity. In addition, they must be appropriately attired, attend in an environment that will not distract them, their fellow students or their teacher(s), especially avoiding attending while in a vehicle, whether moving or stationary.
For the on-campus portions of the course: The mandatory on-campus session meets as per the AUS Campus Schedule. Good attendance is required to earn credits and pass the course. Students are not permitted to arrive late for class or leave class early. Students traveling from far away locations must plan accordingly, giving themselves plenty of time to arrive by the start of class.
Classroom Expectations
Classes start and end on time, with late entry or reentry allowed only under exceptional circumstances. All phones and electronic devices must be turned off for the duration of a class.
GRADING
Students are expected to read assigned materials prior to class. Class discussions are based on their reading of these materials and their reflections on what they have learned and how these relate to their experiences. Assignments are intended to encourage students’ reflection on and synthesis of assigned topics and course discussions.
Assessments are listed in the course syllabus and are due by the stipulated deadlines. No assessment will be accepted after the day following the day it is due. If an assessment submission is one day late, it will receive an automatic reduction in grade of one letter (for example from an A to a B). After that, no late work will be accepted, and the student will receive an F grade for the assessment.
Late submission of papers must be approved in advance.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Students are responsible for understanding the University Policies and how to use resources appropriately. Violations of academic integrity are taken very seriously. Students should revisit the materials on the Orientation session to review important information pertaining to academic citation and referencing rules.
STUDENT WELFARE AND PRIVACY POLICY
The university is committed to student welfare and accommodates students with disabilities and those who fall ill. Disability Services (DS) is responsible for accommodating students with disabilities. A student who wishes to be granted a special arrangement due to a disability or illness must request it through DS. Instructors cannot grant such requests without prior DS approval. DS should be contacted as soon as possible to avoid delays in the provision of such an arrangement.
Because the university takes student privacy very seriously, any medical documentation to support a request for an arrangement to accommodate any special needs connected with a disability or illness should be provided directly to DS. If a student misses any classes due to a short-term illness, he/she should notify his/her instructor, but avoid the inclusion of a doctor's note. Academic staff will not request, accept, or review doctor's notes or other forms of medical documentation. For more information, email DS@TheAUS.us.
USE OF COURSE MATERIALS AND LECTURES
Ethical considerations restrict how course materials and lectures may be used. Students may not post, publish, sell, or otherwise publicly distribute course materials without the written permission of the course instructor. Such materials include, but are not limited to, lecture notes, lecture slides, video and audio recordings, various types of assignments, examinations, other students’ work, and answer keys. In addition, students are not permitted to use materials prepared by faculty or students for courses that have previously taken place. These materials include, but are not limited to, case write-ups, Research Papers, summaries of readings, answers to Problem Sets, and answers to Academic Discussion topics. Furthermore, making video or audio recordings of class sessions for one’s own use without written permission from the instructor is not permitted. Infringements of the above-listed rules are taken seriously and may lead to disciplinary action, including a requirement to withdraw.
WEEKLY CLASS MEETINGS AND SYLLABUS
Additional information can be found on the course website.
Please note: the syllabus may be modified prior to and during a course, including updates to assignments and additional material.